Swing spinal angle retention and head movement prevention system and method

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of swing angle retention and head movement prevention are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments described herein relate generally to aiding a user to maintain a body position when swinging one or more arms, including systems, and methods used in maintaining a person's spinal angle or head position when swinging one or more arms.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It may be desirable for a person to maintain a body position including a spinal angle or head position when swinging one or more arms, the present invention provides such a system and method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a simplified isometric diagram of a personal body position guide system including a base according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a is a simplified isometric diagram of a personal body position guide module coupled to structure according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a simplified left side diagram of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a simplified left side diagram of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1D is a simplified right side diagram of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1E is a simplified left side diagram of the personal body position guide module of FIG. 1B according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1F is a simplified right side diagram of the personal body position guide module of FIG. 1B according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1G is a simplified top diagram of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C is a simplified front side diagram of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A showing a user in various positions during a swing according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3C is a simplified back side diagram of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A showing a user in various positions during a swing according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a simplified back side diagram of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A having different guide configuration according to various embodiments.

FIG. 5A is a simplified top diagram of a guide of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A according to various embodiments.

FIG. 5B is a simplified side diagram of a guide of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A and monitoring system according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6A-6B are flow diagrams body position guide system processing algorithms according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an article according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a simplified isometric diagram and FIG. 1G is a top diagram of a personal body position guide system 10 including a base module 20 and vertical extension module 30 including a base according to various embodiments. The personal body position guide (PBPG) system 10 may include a horizontal module 40, angle module 60, and guide module 64. The guide module 64 is coupled to the angle module 60 in an embodiment. The angle module 60 may be slideably coupled to the horizontal module 40. In an embodiment the angle module 60 includes an extension 62 that is frictionally coupled to one or more semi-enclosing connectors 54 of the horizontal extension module 40. The horizontal extension module 40 may include an angularly adjustable coupling 50. The coupling 50 may be angularly coupled to the horizontal extension module 46 and the semi-enclosing connectors 54.

The coupling 50 may include a user controllable knob that alternatively permits and limits angularly movement of the connectors 54 relative to the horizontal module 40. Accordingly the angle module 60 including the guide 64 may be angularly adjusted relative to the horizontal extension module 40. In an embodiment the horizontal extension module 40 including a telescopic internal extension 42 whose extension may be alternatively enabled and limited via one or more user controllable knobs 44. The knobs 44, 52 may create a compression force to limit movement and may engage teeth, indentations, and/or slots to limit movement. The horizontal extension 40 may include a offset 46 between the angle module 60 and the extension 40 to enable desired angularly movement of the angle extension 60 relative to the horizontal extension module 40. In an embodiment the offset 46 may be at least partially radial.

The vertical extension module 30 may include a telescopic section 32 and a horizontal extension module 40 coupling 38. A user controllable knob 34 may alternatively enable and limit extension of the telescopic section 32. The knob 34 may create a compression force to limit movement and may engage teeth, indentations, and/or slots 36 to limit movement of the telescopic extension 32. The vertical extension module 30 may be coupled to a base module 20 or other stable interface including a floor via a coupling (not shown). The base module 20 may include a cavity 23 that be filled with a material via a lockable cap 21 where the material may include sand and water. The base module 20 may include a vertical extension coupling recess 25 and one more angled supports 24 coupling the vertical extension module 30 to the base 20 at one or more locations. The base module 20 may also include a wheel 22 to aid in the movement of the base 20.

FIG. 1B is a is a simplified isometric diagram of the personal body position guide (PBPG) system 10 coupled to supportable structure 70 according to various embodiments. The BDPG system 10 may be supportively coupled to the structure 70 via a releasable coupling 72. The structure may be a wall, overhang or other PBPG system 10 supportable structure 70. FIG. 1C is a simplified left side diagram and FIG. 1D is a simplified right side diagram of the PBPG system of FIG. 1A according to various embodiments with a user 80 positioned in the system 10. FIG. 1E is a simplified left side diagram and FIG. 1F is a simplified right side diagram of the PBPG system of FIG. 1B according to various embodiments with a user 80 positioned in the system 10.

In FIGS. 1C to 1F the system 10 extension module 60 guide 64 via the vertical extension adjustment knob 34, horizontal adjustment knobs 44, angularly adjustment knob 52, and slides 54 may be operatively placed adjacent or in direct contact with the user's head 82. The user 80 may configure the guide 64 or another user may configure the guide 64 via the vertical extension adjustment knob 34, horizontal adjustment knobs 44, angularly adjustment knob 52, and slides 54 as the user 80 sets in at least one desired body position. In an embodiment the body position is the user's spinal angle to be maintained as the user moves or swings one or more arms about their spine. In an embodiment the plane of the guide 64 may be set to approximately parallel to the desired body position.

Further, the user may hold an object to be swung via one or more arms including a baseball bat or golf club. In such an embodiment the guide 64 plane may be set approximately parallel to the user's spinal angle at address (prior to swinging) and may be close or in direct contact with the user's head 82. Further the PBPG system 10 combination of horizontal extension module 40, angular coupling module 50 and slideable angle extension module 60 may enable the user to perform a full swing or one or more arms engaged to a golf club or baseball bat and strike a golf ball or baseball when maintaining the user's desired body position, in an embodiment their spinal angle during a portion of the swing.

FIGS. 2A-2C are simplified front side diagrams of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A showing a user in various positions during a swing according to various embodiments and FIGS. 3A-3C are simplified back side diagrams of the personal body position guide system of FIG. 1A showing the user in various positions during a swing according to various embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 2A-3C, a user employing the PBPG 10 to maintain their spine angle during a swing may slide relative to the PBPG 10 center while maintaining desired contact or distance from the user's head 82 and the guide 64 behind the user's head 82. The guide's width 64 is about 4 to 12 inches in an embodiment to enable a user to complete a swing when attempting to maintain at least one body position. In an embodiment the body position is the user's spinal angle to be maintained as the user moves or swings one or more arms about their spine and the guide 64 may be set to be approximately parallel to the desired body position.

Further, the user may hold an object to be swung via one or more arms including a baseball bat or golf club. In such an embodiment the guide 64 plane may be set approximately parallel to the user's spinal angle at address (prior to swinging) and may be close or in direct contact with the user's head 82. Further the PBPG system 10 combination of horizontal extension module 40, angular coupling module 50 and slideable angle extension module 60 may enable the user to perform a full swing or one or more arms engaged to a golf club or baseball bat and strike a golf ball or baseball while maintaining the user's desired body position, in an embodiment their spinal angle during a portion of the swing. In an embodiment the system 10 enables a user 80 to start at a centered position (FIG. 2A, 3A), slide their head back (FIG. 2B, #B) during a back swing, and slide their head forward (FIG. 2C, 3C) during the forward swing and follow through while maintaining a desired spinal angle.

FIG. 4 is a simplified back side diagram of the personal body position guide system 10 of FIG. 1A having different guide 64 configuration according to various embodiments. In FIG. 4 the guide 64 may be rotated 90 degrees to have a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal extension module 40 long axis. A user 80 may place their head 82 in contact or near the rotated guide 64 to practice a swing where they desired to prevent or limit lateral head movement such as during a putting stroke.

To provide additional feedback or enable a user to practice by themselves or without a mirror to monitor their effective contact or relative proximity of their back of head 82 to the guide 64, an guide 100 may include an LEDs 122, photoreceptor 124, a power supply 112, a controller 114, and an antenna 116. In an embodiment the LED 32A may be configured to emit energy of a first particular frequency range and the photoreceptor 124 may be configured to detect energy of the first particular frequency range. The controller 114 via the antenna 116 may be configured to generate a signal to the LED 122 and detect signals generated by the photoreceptor 124. The controller 114 may generate a user detectable response based on these signals as a function of a user's 80 proximity to the guide 100. The controller 114 may also communicate signal(s) to another controller that may store, display, analyze, or indicate the user's 80 proximity to the guide during use (such as during a swing). As shown in FIG. 5B, a guide monitoring system 130 may control several LEDs 122 and monitor the signal generated by several photoreceptors 124 where the signals are communicated to the controller 114 via one or more electrical connections 106. The controller 114 may include a user selectable switch 126 and a timer 128. Upon switch activation 126, the controller may operate for a predetermined time interval via the timer 128.

In an embodiment the invention may employ the algorithm 140 shown in FIG. 6A to employ the PBPG 10 to help a user 80 maintain a desired body position during an arm swing. A user, instructor, or other person may initially direct the user's 80 back of head 82 toward the system 10 guide 64 (activity 142). A user, instructor, or other person may configure the system 10 guide 64 to engage a user's back of head 82 (activity 144). A user may then swing at least one arm to practice a desired movement while the user is visually monitored by an instructor, another person, or the user (via a video recorder, mirror, or other device) (activity 146). When the user 80 fails to maintain the desired body position during a desired movement (such as their spine angle whiling swinging a golf club) (activity 147), the instructor or another person, or recording equipment may provide feedback (activity 148) to help the user 80 correct or achieve the desired body position during a swing. The instructor or another person, or recording equipment may provide positive feedback when the user 80 maintains the desired body position during a swing.

In a further embodiment the invention may employ the algorithm 150 shown in FIG. 6B to employ the PBPG 10 to help a user 80 maintain a desired body position during an activity such as an arm swing. A user, instructor, or other person may initially direct the user's 80 back of head 82 toward the system 10 guide 64 (activity 152). A user, instructor, or other person may configure the system 10 guide 64 to engage a user's back of head 82 (activity 154). A user may then perform a desired activity such as swinging at least one arm to practice a desired movement while the user is electronically monitored such as by the guide 100, system 130 (activity 156). When the user 80 fails to maintain the desired body position during a desired activity (such as their spine angle whiling swinging a golf club) (activity 157), an electronic feedback via one or more devices (FIG. 7) may provide feedback (activity 158) to help a user 80 correct or achieve the desired body position during an activity. The system 100, 130 may provide positive feedback when a user 80 maintains the desired body position during an activity.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an article 180 according to various embodiments. The article 180 shown in FIG. 7 may be used in various embodiments as a part of a system 10 where the article 180 may be any computing device including a personal data assistant, cellular telephone, laptop computer, or desktop computer. The article 180 may include a central processing unit (CPU) 182, a random access memory (RAM) 184, a read only memory (ROM″) 206, a display 188, a user input device 212, a transceiver application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 216, a digital to analog (D/A) and analog to digital (A/D) convertor 215, a microphone 208, a speaker 202, and an antenna 204. The CPU 182 may include a timer module 214 and a switch module 213.

The ROM 206 is coupled to the CPU 182 and may store the program instructions to be executed by the CPU 182. The RAM 184 is coupled to the CPU 182 and may store temporary program data, overhead information, and the queues 198 including user 80 guide proximity information. The user input device 212 may comprise an input device such as a keypad, touch pad screen, track ball or other similar input device that allows the user to navigate through menus in order to operate the article 180. The display 188 may be an output device such as a CRT, LCD, LED or other lighting apparatus that enables the user to read, view, or hear user detectable signals.

The microphone 208 and speaker 202 may be incorporated into the device 180. The microphone 208 and speaker 202 may also be separated from the device 180. Received data may be transmitted to the CPU 182 via a bus 196 where the data may include signals for an LED 122. The transceiver ASIC 216 may include an instruction set necessary to communicate data, screens, or signals. The ASIC 216 may be coupled to the antenna 204 to communicate wireless messages, pages, and signal information within the signal. When a message is received by the transceiver ASIC 216, its corresponding data may be transferred to the CPU 182 via the serial bus 196. The data can include wireless protocol, overhead information, and data to be processed by the device 180 in accordance with the methods described herein.

The D/A and A/D convertor 215 may be coupled to one or more optical modules to generate a signal to be used to energize one of the optical modules (such as the LED 122, photoreceptor 124). Any of the components previously described can be implemented in a number of ways, including embodiments in software. Any of the components previously described can be implemented in a number of ways, including embodiments in software. Thus, the LEDs 122, controllers 114, switch 126, and timers 128 may all be characterized as “modules” herein. The modules may include hardware circuitry, single or multi-processor circuits, memory circuits, software program modules and objects, firmware, and combinations thereof, as desired by the architect of the system 10, 100, and 130 and as appropriate for particular implementations of various embodiments.

The apparatus and systems of various embodiments may be useful in applications other than a sales architecture configuration. They are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein.

Applications that may include the novel apparatus and systems of various embodiments include electronic circuitry used in high-speed computers, communication and signal processing circuitry, modems, single or multi-processor modules, single or multiple embedded processors, data switches, and application-specific modules, including multilayer, multi-chip modules. Such apparatus and systems may further be included as sub-components within a variety of electronic systems, such as televisions, cellular telephones, personal computers (e.g., laptop computers, desktop computers, handheld computers, tablet computers, etc.), workstations, radios, video players, audio players (e.g., mp3 players), vehicles, medical devices (e.g., heart monitor, blood pressure monitor, etc.) and others. Some embodiments may include a number of methods.

It may be possible to execute the activities described herein in an order other than the order described. Various activities described with respect to the methods identified herein can be executed in repetitive, serial, or parallel fashion.

A software program may be launched from a computer-readable medium in a computer-based system to execute functions defined in the software program. Various programming languages may be employed to create software programs designed to implement and perform the methods disclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientated format using an object-oriented language such as Java or C++. Alternatively, the programs may be structured in a procedure-orientated format using a procedural language, such as assembly or C. The software components may communicate using a number of mechanisms well known to those skilled in the art, such as application program interfaces or inter-process communication techniques, including remote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodiments are not limited to any particular programming language or environment.

The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived there-from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted to require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may be found in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. 

1. A method of guiding a user to maintain an anatomical position during physical movement, comprising placing a guide including a substantially flat, planar surface behind and in close proximity to the user's head so the substantially flat planar surface is substantially parallel to the anatomical position and remains substantially parallel to the anatomical position during the physically activity, the substantially flat planar surface having a horizontal width greater than the user's head width.
 2. The method of guiding a user of claim 1, wherein the physical movement includes swinging at least one arm.
 3. The method of guiding a user of claim 1, wherein the physical movement includes swinging a golf club with at least one arm and the method farther including suspending the substantially flat, planar surface behind and above the user's head so the substantially flat, planar surface is substantially parallel to the anatomical position and in close proximity to the user's head and remains substantially parallel to the anatomical position and in close proximity to the user's head when the user swings a golf club.
 4. The method of guiding a user of claim 1, wherein the physical movement includes swinging a golf club with at least one arm and the method further including suspending the substantially flat, planar surface behind and above the user's head so the substantially flat planar surface is substantially parallel to the user's vertebral spine angle and in close proximity to the user's head when addressing a golf ball with the golf club and remains substantially parallel to the anatomical the user's vertebral spine angle and in close proximity to the user's head when the user swings a golf club.
 5. The method of guiding a user of claim 1, wherein the physical movement includes swinging a golf club with at least one arm and the method farther including suspending the substantially flat, planar surface behind and above the user's head so the substantially flat planar surface is substantially parallel to the user's vertebral spine angle and in close proximity to the user's head when addressing a golf ball with the golf club and remains substantially parallel to the anatomical the user's vertebral spine angle and in close proximity to the user's head when the user swings a golf club and slides laterally relative to the substantially flat, planar surface.
 6. The method of guiding a user of claim 5, wherein the substantially flat, planar surface is about 4 to 12 inches in horizontal width.
 7. The method of guiding a user of claim 1, further including electronically monitoring a distance from the user's head to the substantially flat, planar surface behind the user's head during the physical movement.
 8. The method of guiding a user of claim 5, further including electronically monitoring a distance from the user's head to the substantially flat, planar surface behind the user's head during a golf swing.
 9. The method of guiding a user of claim 1, further including electronically monitoring whether a user's head contacts the substantially flat, planar surface behind the user's head during the physical movement.
 10. The method of guiding a user of claim 5, further including electronically monitoring whether a user's head contacts the substantially flat, planar surface behind the user's head during a golf swing.
 11. An apparatus for guiding a user to maintain an anatomical position during physical movement, comprising: a guide including a substantially flat, planar surface that is configured to be placed behind and in close proximity to the user's head so the substantially flat planar surface is substantially parallel to the anatomical position and remains substantially parallel to the anatomical position during the physically activity, the substantially flat planar surface having a horizontal width greater than the user's head width.
 12. The apparatus for guiding a user of claim 11, further comprising a horizontal extension angularly coupled to the substantially flat, planar surface.
 13. The apparatus for guiding a user of claim 12, wherein the physical movement includes swinging a golf club with at least one arm and the horizontal extension is configured to suspend the substantially flat, planar surface behind and above the user's head so the substantially flat, planar surface is substantially parallel to the anatomical position and in close proximity to the user's head and remains substantially parallel to the anatomical position and in close proximity to the user's head when the user swings a golf club.
 14. The apparatus for guiding a user of claim 11, wherein the physical movement includes swinging a golf club with at least one arm and the horizontal extension is configured to suspend the substantially flat, planar surface behind and above the user's head so the substantially flat, planar surface is substantially parallel to the user's vertebral spine angle and in close proximity to the user's head when addressing a golf ball with the golf club and remains substantially parallel to the anatomical the user's vertebral spine angle and in close proximity to the user's head when the user swings a golf club.
 15. The apparatus for guiding a user of claim 11, wherein the physical movement includes swinging a golf club with at least one arm and the horizontal extension is configured to suspend the substantially flat, planar surface behind and above the user's head so the substantially flat, planar surface is substantially parallel to the user's vertebral spine angle and in close proximity to the user's head when addressing a golf ball with the golf club and remains substantially parallel to the anatomical the user's vertebral spine angle and in close proximity to the user's head when the user swings a golf club and slides laterally relative to the substantially flat, planar surface.
 16. The apparatus for guiding a user of claim 15, wherein the substantially flat, planar surface is about 4 to 12 inches in horizontal width.
 17. The apparatus for guiding a user of claim 11, further including means for electronically monitoring a distance from the user's head to the substantially flat, planar surface behind the user's head during the physical movement.
 18. The apparatus for guiding a user of claim 15, further including means for electronically monitoring a distance from the user's head to the substantially flat, planar surface behind the user's head during a golf swing.
 19. The apparatus for guiding a user of claim 11, further including means for electronically monitoring whether a user's head contacts the substantially flat, planar surface behind the user's head during the physical movement.
 20. The apparatus for guiding a user of claim 15, further including means for electronically monitoring whether a user's head contacts the substantially flat, planar surface behind the user's head during a golf swing. 